Objectives:1. Outline the origins and evolution of ethics, and how this is important in approaching ethics.2. Define and appreciate the difference between ethics and law or enforced regulation and apply this in clinical work to ensure that over emphasis on the latter does not interfere with the highest ethical conduct.3. Apply event chain principles to reduce vulnerabilities to ethical missteps and violations. 4. Identify factors that contribute to or protect against untoward outcomes in clinical work.

Program Description:It is at times difficult to decide whether the explosion of focus on ethics over the last 20 years has been to the benefit or decrement of truly ethical practice. The content of Ethics Codes have expanded along with the number of organizations that demand adherence - sometimes conflicting with one another - and are quite often confused with law, licensing board rules, and risk management practices. This has left us looking over our shoulders, or deep into lists of rules, rather than at the patients in front of us and struggling with what might be the very best thing to do with the situations they present to us. In this program we will take a close-up look at what ethics is, its roots, evolution and current place in professional practice and society. We also will borrow some valuable ideas from a profession that has invested enormous resources toward understanding and preventing human error - aviation. The concept of event chain analysis will be introduced to further understanding of how a bad outcome is rarely due to a single factor or failing, but the culmination of a chain of them, and how breaking the chain at any link can divert untoward outcome. We will conclude by looking at some factors frequently found in clinical event chains that have led up to untoward outcomes so that we can better identify and interrupt a process headed for trouble.

Speaker Bio:Rion N. Hart, Ph.D. is a Psychologist and Psychoanalyst who has been in practice in Houston for over thirty years. A Clinical Assistant Professor at the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Baylor College of Medicine, he also is on the faculty of the Center for Psychoanalytic Studies where he previously served as Chair of the Ethics Committee. He served as Chair of The Committee on Ethics of the American Psychoanalytic Association for six years, continues to consult with that organization and others on ethics matters, and has lectured extensively on ethics around the country.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION FOR ALL LEARNERS: None of the planners and presenters of this CME program have any relevant financial relationships to disclose.

*Active and Student Members: Free, Friends: $100, Non-members: $125

*SOCIAL WORKERS . The Houston Psychoanalytic Society is approved to offer continuing education units to social workers by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners, sponsor number CS4518. It is anticipated that this monthly meeting will meet their requirements for 3 hours of continuing education credit.

*PSYCHOLOGISTS . The Texas State Licensing Board of Psychologists does not pre-approve workshops for continuing education. It is anticipated that this monthly meeting will meet requirements for 3 hours of CE credit.

*LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS . The Houston Psychoanalytic Society is approved by The American Psychoanalytic Association through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, CE Provider Number 2666, to offer continuing education credit to licensed professional counselors.

*MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS . The Houston Psychoanalytic Society, as a co-sponsor with the Center for Psychoanalytic Studies, is an approved sponsor of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists by the Texas Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists.

*PHYSICIANS . This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essentials Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of The American Psychoanalytic Association and the Center for Psychoanalytic Studies. The American Psychoanalytic Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians and takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of the CME activity.

The American Psychoanalytic Association designates this educational activity for a maximum of 3 hours in category 1 credit towards the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. Each physician should only claim those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.